NEW YORK – Matt Morris pitched effectively into the eighth inning, and John Mabry homered and drove in three runs to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the New York Mets 4-2 Sunday.

Subbing at first base to give All-Star slugger Albert Pujols his first day off this season, Mabry also turned two nifty double plays to snuff out potential rallies.

Reggie Sanders hit his 10th home run for the NL Central-leading Cardinals, who took two of three at Shea Stadium and improved to 12-4 on the road.

Mike Cameron homered, doubled and scored both runs for the Mets, who lost for the fifth time in seven games following a four-game winning streak.

Morris (3-0) got cleanup batter Cliff Floyd on a popup with runners at the corners to end the sixth and pumped his first as he walked off the mound.

The right-hander from nearby Middletown gave up two runs and six hits in 7 2-3 innings. Jason Isringhausen got three outs for his ninth save in nine chances, and second in two days.

Jim Edmonds drew a leadoff walk from Aaron Heilman (3-3) in the second. One out later, Mabry drove a 1-2 pitch over the right-center fence for a 2-0 lead.

Sanders hit a solo shot to center with two outs in the fourth – after Heilman struck out Larry Walker and Edmonds.

Cameron doubled leading off the fourth for New York’s first hit and scored on Floyd’s double-play grounder.

Mabry’s two-out RBI single in the sixth made it 4-1.

Cameron connected in the eighth to chase Morris, who struck out six.

Heilman allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 2-3 innings, matching a career high with seven strikeouts. The right-hander from Notre Dame could be sent to the bullpen or the minors when lefty Kaz Ishii comes off the disabled list, probably this week.

Notes: A male fan was hit in the head by David Eckstein’s foul line drive in the third inning. The fan, who was sitting about 10-12 rows behind New York’s dugout on the first-base side, received medical attention and was helped from the stands. The Mets said they couldn’t release any further information because of privacy laws. … Pujols had played every inning this season. He pinch-hit for Mabry in the ninth and struck out. … New York C Mike Piazza bounced an ugly throw to second base as Mark Grudzielanek stole on a pitchout in the fifth. … Edmonds left in the ninth after tweaking his left foot. … The Cardinals have won 12 of their last 15 games against the Mets and are 20-7 against them since the start of the 2001 season.

AP-ES-05-15-05 1542EDT